USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 77
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The Garden Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1853, by residents of the easterly section of the city, and others, mostly young men and women. For a time, they worshipped in Pantheon Hall, Newbury Street. In 1855, the plain brick church building, on the corner of Garden and Newbury streets. was erected. Few men of wealth were connected with the society, and it was not
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without a long-continued struggle that the building was erected, and the church firmly established. George P. Wilson, then a hard- working layman, was a devoted member, who did much to prevent the disbanding of the society in trial days; for the little band were few in numbers, and poor in purse.
The Rev. A. C. Manson was the first settled preacher. Since then, the church has been under the pastoral care of the Rev. Sullivan Holman, the Rev. J. MeLaughlan, the Rev. Warren F. Evans, the Rev. A. P. Hatch, the Rev. H. H. Hartwell, the Rev. Charles U. Dunning, the Rev. C. M. Dinsmore, the Rev. Trueman Carter, the Rev. Lewis P. Cushman, the Rev. E. W. Norris, the Rev. William E. Bennett, and the Rev. E. A. Drew.
A commodious parsonage adjoining the church was erected a few years since.
Parker Street Methodist Episcopal Church is attended mostly by residents of South Lawrence. The Haverhill Street Society seems to have aided the little band that first met in the engine-house in ward six, in the day of small things. At first, it was only a Bible class ; with larger numbers they erected a small building on Blanchard Street. A commodions house of worship was erccted on Parker Street in 1873. The Rev. W. J. Parkinson, the Rev. Garrett Beek- man, the Rev. Allen J. Hall, the Rev. Converse L. MeCurdy, the Rev. T. J. Abbott, and the Rev. W. A. Braman have been the nastors.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church accommodates those residing at the western limits of the city. The society has a modest structure on Haverhill Street, west of Broadway. Organized early in 1873, the church has since enjoyed the ministrations of the Rev. William Hewes, the Rev. Charles W. Taylor, and the Rev. C. D. Smith. The First Methodist Church also fostered the interests of this strug- gling band.
The Arlington Young Men's Christian Association is a working organization growing out of the Arlington Christian Association, which was formed Oct. 12, 1876; the name was changed January, 1878. A small chapel was erected on Park Street, near Broadway, in the fall of 1876. This society is an incorporated band of carnest and active young men, associated for the purpose of extending in- terest in evangelical religion, especially among young people. Mr. Charles Wainwright is the president. Especially has this society been of great benefit to the northern section of the city, sustaining, at one time, a reading-room, evening schools, evening religious ser- vices, lectures, and proper entertainments ; but never losing sight of the grand purpose in view.
The Second Advent societies have maintained an organization, and sometimes have supported several interests. The Pilgrim Church, worshipping in Band of Hope Hall, the Rev. W. J. Halse, pastor, is quite numerously attended.
A society, known as the Christian Church, existed for several years, and erected a small church building on Common Street, near the com- mon. The church was organized in 1853. The Rev. Timothy Cole, the Rev. Austin Damon, and the Rev. Charles Henry Plummer were the pastors. Finally, the building was sold to the Second Baptist Society.
German citizens, Methodists and Lutherans, have a modest church building on East Haverhill Street. Service conducted mostly by lay- men.
Catholic churches in Lawrence are among the most important in castern Massachusetts.
The beginning was exceeding humble ; Father Charles D. French, at that time an old man, came very early to the city, gathered a small church, and erected a modest chapel on the corner of Chestnut and White streets. Father French died Jan. 6, 1851.
The Rev. James Henry Dominic Taaffe came to America and to this city in 1850. He came to visit the aged Father French, a mem- ber of the Dominican Order like himself. Not long after his arrival, his venerable host died, and Father Taaffe became his successor, labor- ing without cessation in his work, until his death, March 29, 1868. He was born in the year 1800, the heir to titles, social position, and wealth, - to a prospective life of case. He renounced all for humble service in the priesthood. He pursued collegiate studies for a time in the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, going there with an uncle holding position in the British army. From the religions orders, he chose the renowned order of St. Dominic. His fortune went to his order, and he became Prior of the Monastery of Boula.
Until 1865, his residence was the plainest of wooden dwellings ; it was then supplanted by a commodious structure. A large and impos- ing brick church was erected in 1853, on the site of the modest wooden
building. the church afterwards taking the name of The Church of the Immaculate Conception.
In 1856, Father Taaffe organized the Catholic Friends' Society, which has come to number twelve hundred members, he being presi- dent of the society from the founding until his death. He also founded a Catholic school for boys. The dominant idea of his life was a practical charity. In the destitution that pressed hard upon many in 1857, he instituted a regular system of aid to the suffering, taking personal charge of the distribution of food. The Catholic Orphan Asylum was his special care, and he lived to see it firmly established.
Father Taaffe was social, jolly, gentlemanly, and humane, caring more for the right than for arbitrary rules and social distinctions. He would organize literary and dramatic clubs, or a musical band, to draw young men from evil ways, and turn them from idleness to commend- able pursuits. He could tell a good story with the jolliest, and laugh as heartily as the lightest-hearted boy in his flock.
Ten thousand people sought to gain admittance to the church at the time of his burial ; the charitable orders and societies attended in full numbers ; forty-three clergymen were present ; thousands followed in reverent grief to his last resting-place in the cemetery of the church. The inscription over his coffin, "The Orphan's Friend," was no mis- nomer. In the burial-ground of the church, on May Street, in a cir- cular vault and a granite monument and cross inscribed thus : -
In memory of the deceased priests of The Church of the Immaculate Conception. REV. CHARLES DANIEL FRENCH, First resident pastor of Lawrence, Died January 6th, 1851.
REV. JAMES HENRY DOMINIC TAAFFE, First pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boru 1800. Died March 29th, 1867. A. 67 years.
REV. JAMES QUINLAN, Died 1872. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
As the early history of the older Catholic church is largely told in the life of Father Taaffe, so the incidents in the life of the Rev. James O'Donnell, if fully recited, would furnish an account of the organiza- tion and growth of St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. James O'Donnell came to Lawrence, Dec. 8, 1848. He first offered sacrifice of mass in the old Lawrence Hall, and continued to gather the people there until the building of a temporary wooden chapel, on Haverhill Street, where the older St. Mary's Church building now stands. In this chapel, mass was first celebrated, on Christmas Day, 1848. The frame was not even entirely covered, and the falling snow came down upon the unsheltered congregation. The temporary altar was con- structed of shingles, and it was upon some bundles of shingles that Father O'Donnell stood when he first spoke to the people in a church crected by the worshippers.
From these small beginnings, and as the result of labors by Father O'Donnell, his successors, and many zealous helpers, has grown one of the largest religious organizations of this section of New England. The old St. Mary's Church building, a plain structure of stone, was commenced in the spring of 1852. Eight years after (1860), the size of this church was doubled, filling the entire space from Haverhill to Oak Street. Lack of space prevents a full account of the coming of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and the origin and growth of the Catholic schools aud charitable and religious fraternities.
Father O'Donnell's death occurred April 7, 1861, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, after a very brief illness.
He fully identified himself, not only with the history of the Cath- olic church, but with the material interests of the town. He was a born leader of men, practical as a business man, of good judgment and untiring industry. His zeal, force, and self-reliance gave him un- bounded influence, and marked him as one of the positive minds in the new city. .
The funeral services, on Tuesday following his death, brought an immense concourse of people ; the ceremonies were most impressive. The remains were deposited in a grave made in the churchyard. Eleven years after (April, 1872), the body was disinterred (at night- time, to avoid undue publicity ), and removed to the church, prepara- tory to re-interment in the ground reserved for the burial of priests in
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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the St. Mary's cemetery. The following day solemn service was held in the new church. An immense audience attended, following, on an inclement day, to the cemetery grounds.
The successor of Father O'Donnell was the Rev. Ambrose A. Mul- len, who remained in charge about five years; assisted, at different times, by the Rev. Fathers Gallagher, Daley, Edward Mullen, and Donnelly. Father Mullen was called to the Presidency of St. Thom- as's College, Villanova, Penn. ; and, in August, 1865, the Rev. Louis M. Edge came as pastor. He conceived the idea of building the mas- sive, spacious, and beautiful church building known as the new St. Mary's Church. This imposing structure is 210 feet long, 80 feet wide (102 feet wide in transept). It was several years in building. The stone was quarried at Westford, Mass., Salem, N. H., and Hal- lowell, Me. The chime of sixteen bells cost nearly $10,000.
Father Edge was assisted by Fathers William Hartnett, J. P. Gil- more, and M. E. Gallagher, and for a time, by Father Peter Crane. Father Gallagher also had charge of a church in Andover.
On Christmas Day, 1865, over $3,000 was raised towards the foun- dation of the new church. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday, Aug. 19, 1866.
In 1870, Feb. 25th, occurred the death of Father Edge, at the St. Augustine parsonage, in Philadelphia. The funeral occurred in Law- rence, three days after, in the church his energy had so materially aided. The ceremonies were solemn and imposing, and a vast assem- blage manifested their sorrow. About this time the church had the benefit of the counsel and labor of the Very Rev. Thomas Galberry (died in Hartford, Conn., October, 1878), superior of the Order of St. Augustine, a thorough scholar and unassuming gentleman, Fathers Gilmore, Hartnett, and Field assisting. On the departure of Father Galberry, Father John P. Gilmore, a man of learning, activity, and zeal, became pastor. Space prevents mention of the able assistants who from time to time have made up the number of the Augustin- ian Fathers. In St. Mary's Cemetery are the following headstones, commemorative of those who have died in pious service :
" Rev. James O'Donnell, Died April 7th 1861. JE. 56. Rev. A. A. Mullen, Died July 7th 1876. Æ. 49. Rev. G. A. Marsden, Died Septem. 23rd 1877. A. 31. Rev. M. E, Gallagher, Died August 25. 1869. Æ. 66. Rev. T A. Hayes, Died Nov. 14, 1869. Æ. 25. Rev. T. Donnovan, Died Jan. 25, 1875. ÆE. 37. Rev. Louis M. Edge, Died Feb'y 24, 1870. Æ. 44."
The French Catholic, or St. Ann's Church, located on Haverhill Street, is a commodious brick building, erected in 1875. It is attended largely by citizens of French descent. The pastor is the Rev. Oliver Boucher. The Rev. J. E. Michaud, and the Rev. Alphonzo Casgren were former pastors.
St. Patrick's Church is located at South Lawrence. The Rev. James Murphy is in charge of this church and a church at Andover.
St. Laurence Church is located at the corner of Essex and Union streets, and is under the care of the Augustinian Fathers. A small church building has also been erected on Water Street, near the head of Doyle Street.
CHAPTER X.
THE EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.
SCHOOLS - LIBRARIES - LECTURES - THE WHITE FUND - NEWSPAPERS - POST-OFFICE.
" It is no less the duty than the privilege of those who possess influence in creating towns and cities, to lay the foundations deep and strong. Let the standard be high in religions, moral and intellectual enlture and there can be no well grounded fear for the result."-Abbott Lawrence, to Trustees Franklin Library, 1847.
How to give each child its " share in the heritage of knowledge and thought " puzzled town committees. Children came by hundreds clamoring for accommodations. The Methuen committee, in 1846, - Dr. Stephen Huse, James D. Herrick, and Rev. Willard Spaulding, - were called upon to provide for the van of a coming host. In Novem- ber of that year, a school was opened, with Nathaniel Ambrose (died Sept. 30, 1878, aged 67) as teacher, in a new school-house of modest proportions, just west of Haverhill Street Methodist Church. Open- ing with twenty-five scholars, the number rapidly increased to one hundred and fifty, all crowded within a space for only a third of the number, his wife assisting in the management.
April 17, 1847, at the first town-meeting, William D. Lamb, James D. Herrick, and Dan Weed were elected members of the first town
committee. Mr. Ambrose, for a time the only male teacher, con- tinued his school. Misses Robinson, Ford, Brown, Abbott, and Odel taught in the other school buildings, two of which were the old district houses, the other, a small church vestry. There was a continual ar- rival of new pupils, and demand for more and better school accommo- dations. On the site of the Unitarian church was the Central Gram- mar School, for a time. Here, in April, 1848, Prof. George A. Walton commenced a service which lasted for sixteen years. He resigned in 1864. During long service he was faithful, judicious, efficient, and magnetic, doing much to establish schools in which citi- zens have had a just pride, and to practically educate a generation.
In 1848, the school committee consisted of five members : the Rev. Henry F. Harrington, Nathan W. Harmon, James D. Herrick, the Rev. Lyman Whiting, and Dr. George Packard. Under this and the preceding committee, the system of graded schools was arranged and put in operation.
Mention of grades is made, Lawrence being one of the first towns where this was the system at the start. Hon. Horace Mann was consulted by early committees regarding methods for this new city of limited area, and his advice followed in the main. He took great interest in this favorable opportunity to test a system where there was no established course to be uprooted or overborne.
The brick building, designed to accommodate a high school solely, was crected in 1848. The grammar school soon overflowed into it, and the higher grade took the name of "Oliver High School," as a compliment to Gen. Henry K. Oliver, who, from time to time, made valuable donations of apparatus. statuary, and books. This house was enlarged only three years after first building (in 1851), by the addition of a three-story transverse section in the rear, and, in 1872, the front was raised to three stories, and the internal arrangement of rooms and stairways changed.
Feb. 5, 1868, the new High-school house was dedicated. Within ten years, there is clamor for enlargement and re-arrangement of rooms, not originally planned with great wisdom.
The two schools are known as the "Lawrence High School " and the "Oliver Grammar School."
Since 1853, the public schools have been under the immediate supervision of a superintendent, who is secretary of the school com- mittee : viz., John A. Goodwin served from 1853 to '51; Henry F. Harrington, 1854 to '55 ; George Packard, 1855 to '56, and 1859 to '61; A. D. Williams, 1856 to '57; Henry K. Oliver, 1857 to '59; Joseph L. Partridge, 1861 to '64 ; John R. Rollins, Jan. to June '64 ; Gilbert E. Hood, June 1864 to '76; Harrison Hume succeeded Mr. Hood in 1876. James H. Eaton and Albert F. Scruton, as sub-mas- ters in the Grammar School, were valuable assistants of Mr. Walton. Mr. Eaton gave nine years of earnest service, and both, for a time, had charge of the school as principals. Mr. Scruton engaged in the practice of medicine, but died on the threshold of a useful career. John L. Brewster was principal of the school for eight years, resigning in 1873, when James S. Barrell was in charge for a year. Park S. Warren is his successor. The South Grammar School has been in charge of Isaiah W. Ayer, Jonathan Tenney, John B. Fairfield, Wil- bur Fiske Gile, John Orne, Jr., J. Henry Root, Jefferson K. Cole, and Edward P. Shute, the latter taking the school in 1877. R. E. Harmon and Nathan Sargent had temporary service.
The Lawrence High School has been under the charge of accom- plished and efficient teachers. Thomas W. T. Curtis was the pioneer, serving for two years. C. S. Pennell also served two years, resigning to take a professorship in Antioch College, Ohio. Samuel John Pike, a tutor from Bowdoin College, rendered three years' service. Mr. William H. Farrar served as principal for a part of the year 1857, resigning to take charge of the high school at Great Falls, N. H. For four and one-half years thereafter, William J. Rolfe gave efficient and able service, going hence to Cambridge. For two years, 1861 to '63, Henry L. Boltwood was principal of the school. He resigned for a business opening. Prof. Albert C. Perkins, since principal of Phillips Exeter Academy, gave ten years of efficient service. Charles T. Lazelle was principal for two years : failing health caused his res- ignation in 1875. Horace E. Bartlett succeeded, and still remains. Gen. Henry K. Oliver, the Rev. Henry F. Harrington, Gilbert E. Hood, Thomas G. Valpey, and I. H. Ward have temporarily been in charge, in short intervals, when changes have been made.
Industrious lady assistants in high and grammar schools, and other grades, have been and are deserving of grateful remembrance. It is easy to call to mind a score of them, of each of whom we might say, as of Lady Hastings, that "to love her was a liberal education." Marked success has been won in the schools, and it is largely due to
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the faithful labor of a corps of female teachers, many of them graduates of the early classes. In the light of experience, the vote at an early town-meeting, " to employ male teachers in all schools with over fifty scholars," excites a smile, as does another foolish proposition made " to establish separate schools for Irish children."
The private schools have not been many. The Rev. Silas Blaisdale and his wife, Mrs. A. P. Blaisdale, had a school for many years on Newbury Street. Mrs. B. was a veteran teacher of half a century's experience, and is remembered by many as well for vigorous punish- ment administered (for canse no doubt ), as for sound instruction given. Ephraim Ward, Jr., was one of the first who came to the new eity on teaching intent. Before the opening of the publie high school he had a flourishing private school of a high grade. No permanent insti- tution of learning, outside of the public schools and Catholic schools, has been founded in the eity. There are no notable works. of art. The people have little of what is called elegant leisure. The arts fostered are the useful ones. The moneyed time-killer does not seek the city as a place for residence. Nearly every resident is busy about some useful employment.
Evening Schools .- Under the superintendenee and care of the City Missionary, evening schools were established in 1859. These schools had been advoeated by the Rev. H. F. Harrington as early as 1854. They were taught by volunteers, and gathered in Odd Fellows' Hall until quarters were provided in the basement of city hall. Here the sehool grew in importance, the city giving a partial support. Latterly the eity assumes full control aud care of these schools.
To the hard-working young mechanie and operative, burdened by ordinary wants, the public rightly gives this opportunity to acquire the rudiments of common education, and skill in peumanship aud drawing.
Libraries .- With books that are valuable, the Free Publie Library and libraries of the larger mills are well supplied; but there is no im- mense collection, disturbed only by the bibliomaniae or the anti- quarian.
The Franklin Library was incorporated in April, 1847, "for the purpose of maintaining a library and reading-room, advancing nseful arts and seiences, and promoting publie instruction, by leetures or otherwise." In July following, Capt. Charles H. Bigelow, first presi- dent of the association, received the following :-
BOSTON, July 5, 1-47.
MY DEAR SIR :- I was gratified to notice an Act. passed by the last General Court, incorporating the Franklin Library Association in the new town. .
. I offer. throngh yon, for the acceptance and benefit of the Association. the sum of one thou- sand dollars, which the government of the institution will please invest in such scientific and other works as will tend to create good mechanics, good Christians. and good patriots.
Accept the assurances with which I remain your friend,
ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
At his death, in 1855, Mr. Lawrence left the sum of five thousand dollars for the purpose of increasing the value and utility of the library.
This association was the solitary literary society in the busy town and city for many years. The "Lawrence Athenaeum" sustained a course of lectures for two seasons ; the " Lawrence Lyceum," for one or two seasons. Both finally were merged in the Franklin Library Asso- ciation. A course of lectures (twelve each season) was sustained for several years by this organization. Tickets for an entire course were seventy-five cents ; ladies at a lower rate.
Shareholders and officers labored to extend the benefits of this library and reading-room to the general publie ; but there was need of miscellaneous books, open doors, and the magie word free, in full force and meaning.
In 1872 the library and funds of the association were turned over to the city by definite arrangement, and the Free Public Library, aided by the White Fund, more fully mentioned hereafter, was successfully established. Library and reading-room, now open to all, found im- mediate favor with the people. Circulation of books reached an almost unprecedented average : patronage outgrew accommodations, and, in three years from first opening, the library was removed to spacious rooms in the new Odd Fellows' Block. The mayor and presi- dent of the common council, with three trustees of the White Fund, are members, ex officio, of the board of trustees. The six citizen members are elected by the city eonneil, two vacancies occurring each year. The booksellers' circulating libraries were absorbed or sup- planted by the free library ; but the Pacific Mills collection, of seven thousand volumes, is still patronized, and from time to time judiciously enlarged.
The White Fund Lectures .- These lectures are sustained by a fund
given for the purpose of establishing a course of free lectures, on vital topics, for the benefit of the industrial classes, particularly the young. From this fund material aid is also given to the Free Public Library. The philanthropie purpose of founding this lecture course originated with Judge Daniel Appleton White, of Salem (a native of that part of Methuen now Lawrence), the Essex Company joining with him in necessary measures to carry this design into effect, and iu maturing plans that would make the benefits continuous and eumula- tive.
Judge White was born in June, 1776, in the old farm-house stand- ing in the fields at a point now the north-east corner of Haverhill and Lawrence streets. He graduated at Harvard College in 1797. For many years he was judge of probate for the county of Essex, residing in Salem, where he was first president of the Essex Institute, and a representative in Congress for one term. His old homestead, with the lands lying between Merrimae and Spicket rivers and Appleton and Franklin streets, was first conveyed in January, 1845, by a con- ditioual deed, to the Water-Power Association. The first conveyanee by Judge White embraced the whole. without any restriction. He soon afterwards became aware that provisions in old deeds required that part of the lands should be reserved as a family burial-ground. In consequence of this, at his earnest solicitation, the associates, in taking their absolute deed, dated March 28, 1845, relinquished their claims to a lot of about six acres, nearly in the centre of the tract they had purchased. It was provided, however, that the six aeres ex- eepted and reserved should be restricted as to use or reserved as a publie or private burial-ground. Immediately after the organization of the Essex Company, the associates conveyed to that company all lands they had purchased, consequently their deed contained the reser- vations and restrietions.
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